FIELD HOCKEY: McNutt's last-second tally sends Allentown past Seneca

ALLENTOWN — Maura McNutt didn’t know how much time was on the clock, heck, she didn’t even know how the ball ended up in front of her.

What she did know was that she had to find a way to put it in the goal.

She did so with two seconds left in the game, giving Allentown a thrilling 3-2 win over Seneca Monday in a Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal game played on the Redbirds’ field.

Allentown awaits the winner of sixth-seeded Northern Burlington and third-seeded Wall which is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The game will be played at Allentown.

Just seconds before McNutt’s game winner – and first career hat trick – Seneca’s Carly McCausland sent a shot on goal, forcing Allentown’s Hayley Peterson into a difficult save.

With 15 seconds left, the Redbirds got the ball to the midfield. Noelle Winston brought it down the left side and sent a ball to the middle.

McNutt was ready and in perfect position.

“I knew the clock was winding down, but I had no idea how much time was left,” McNutt said. “I knew I had to go right. I saw an opening there.’’

The opening was just enough to send the Redbirds to the next round and give them something to be happy about. All but three players, including McNutt, are still without power from the storm.

This was the Redbirds’ first game since the Mercer County Tournament semifinal on Oct. 25.

McNutt provided plenty of power, scoring all three with assists from Corrieanne Kennedy and a pair from Winston.

Seneca (11-8), which had won nine of the last 11, and twice had a one-goal lead got scores from McCausland and Jessica Sulewski. Kalyn O’Brien had a pair of assists for the Golden Eagles.

“It’s exciting,” said Allentown coach Mary Ellen McCarthy. “The kids never quit. With everything they have been through it just shows their drive and their intensity. That was a very good Seneca team.”

The Redbirds, who have now won 12 of 13, came out a little sluggish and trailed 1-0 at the half. After a spirited halftime, McNutt scored 1:49 into the second half.

“We were struggling at first, but its all about seeing what you need to work on and making amends,” said McNutt. “At the half, we really changed up what we were going to do. What we saw, we reacted to, and that really made the difference,”

With 8:10 left in the game, Allentown again was trailing after Sulewski’s goal. But that lead wouldn’t last for long. McNutt tied it at two 68 seconds later, setting herself up for final-second heroics.

“She has really worked hard,” said McCarthy of McNutt. “She has stepped up. She played mid(field) and forward today. She is really quick. She is in the right place and she moves the ball.”

With two seconds on the clock, McNutt was in the right place.

“I’m so happy,” said McNutt. “I’m excited. I’m proud of the team and I’m excited to be moving on.”

McNutt knows how to find the back of the cage, and with two seconds left, that was all she needed to know.